By Sanni Marvelous
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Murkta Maiha, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s vast agricultural and livestock potential through strategic investments, partnerships, and innovation.
This move he said is essential to ensuring food security, job creation, poverty reduction, and economic diversification.
Speaking at the Africa Agriculture Dialogue 2025 in Abuja on Tuesday, Maiha underscored the centrality of collaboration in driving the nation’s agricultural transformation agenda.
“To unlock the full potential of our agricultural sector, we must improve access to finance, technology, and knowledge,” he said.
“This is why our collaboration with the African Development Bank and other stakeholders—including herders and processors—is critical in ensuring inclusive participation across the agricultural value chain.”
Maiha explained that the Dialogue aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising that agriculture—particularly the livestock sector—is pivotal to the administration’s plan for sustainable growth.
Drawing from international examples, the Minister noted that Nigeria can achieve remarkable agricultural transformation if it adopts innovation and builds strong institutions.
“Countries like Denmark and Ghana, which are less endowed than Nigeria, have successfully transformed their agricultural sectors. With focus, innovation, and strong institutions, there is no reason Nigeria cannot achieve even greater success,” he said.
Maiha also highlighted the untapped economic potential embedded within the livestock industry.
“There is no waste in the animal kingdom. From meat to dairy, leather to by-products, every component has economic value. Our task is to build systems that convert these opportunities into sustainable businesses,” he added.
He therefore called for increased strategic investments and robust public-private partnerships to create a profitable, inclusive, and globally competitive livestock economy.
In her remarks, Hon. Jette Bjerrum, Consul General of Denmark, stressed the value of collaboration and capacity building. She reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s agricultural transformation through knowledge sharing, risk mitigation, and financing initiatives.
There is no waste in the animal kingdom
Similarly, Mr. Li Zhensheng, Chairman of the Global Cooperation Promotion Research Centre, pledged China’s support for Nigeria’s livestock development, noting that irrigation remains a major constraint. He announced plans to introduce China’s advanced water conservation technologies to enable year-round farming and reduce production risks.
Representing the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Abdul Kamara assured participants that the Bank would continue to back Nigeria and other African countries in accelerating agricultural transformation through financing and technical assistance.
There is no reason Nigeria cannot achieve even greater success
Earlier, Richard-Mark Mbaram, Embed Advisor, Agriculture at the AfDB, noted that Africa’s agricultural progress hinges on synergy among governments, private investors, and development partners. He emphasized the need to empower smallholder farmers, strengthen value chains, and ensure that growth translates into tangible socio-economic impact.
The two-day Dialogue, themed “Unlocking Finance for Agricultural Transformation in Africa,” convened policymakers, financial institutions, investors, and key players from across the agricultural value chain to explore innovative financing models and strategies for sustainable agricultural develop
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